Illinois
Sept. 23-25: 10th annual International Route 66 Mother Road Festival, Springfield. More than 1,000 classic and vintage cars and trucks from across the U.S. and Canada fill the streets of downtown. Also live entertainment. Free; 317-236-6515; route66fest.com. Miles from Chicago: 200
Sept. 23-25: Quad Cities Balloon Festival, East Moline. Hot-air balloons fill the sky early morning and in the afternoon, followed by a balloon glow. There also will be a classic car show and an art fair. Free, though a free-will donation of non-perishable food items for the River Bend Foodbank is appreciated; qcballoonfestival.com. Miles from Chicago: 165
Indiana
Sept. 23-24: 44th annual Michiana Mennonite Relief Sale, Goshen. A quilt auction, antiques auction, crafts and food booths are among the activities for this event, which raises money to support relief efforts worldwide. Free; 888-503-8559; mennonitesale.org. Miles from Chicago: 120
Sept. 24-25: Feast of the Hunters’ Moon, West Lafayette. Historic Fort Ouiatenon Park is the site for this 44th annual re-enactment of life during the 18th century. There will be a trading post, food, crafts, demonstrations and music. Fee applies; 765-476-8411; tippecanoehistory.org/feast.htm. Miles from Chicago: 125
Sept. 24: Ride the Wave Regatta, Michigan City. The Northwest Indiana Paddling Association hosts this event, which includes an 8-mile sea kayak race on the “big lake,” and a 6.7-mile canoe and kayak race along Trail Creek. Fee varies; 219-448-1382; nwipa.org/ridethewavesignup.html. Miles from Chicago: 60
Iowa
Sept. 23-24: Germanfest Celebration, Guttenberg. German food, beer, entertainment, and horse and buggy rides through the historic downtown. Fee at night; 563-581-6149; germanfestinguttenberg.com. Miles from Chicago: 220
Michigan
Sept. 17-18 : Hawkfest, Brownstown. Lake Erie Metropark hosts this event celebrating the fall migration of hawks and other birds of prey through the area. Programs will include live birds and discussions of falconry. Fee applies; tinyurl.com/3j79aap. Miles from Chicago: 275
Sept. 21-Oct. 9: ArtPrize, Grand Rapids. More than 1,500 artists from more than 40 states and 30 countries display their work throughout town, with the public voting for the winner of the top award of $250,000. There also will be entertainment, lectures and other activities. Free; artprize.org. Miles from Chicago: 180
Minnesota
Sept. 23-24: Festa Italiana, St. Paul. All things Italian — food, entertainment, folk art and even a bocce ball tournament. Free; festaitalianamn.com. Miles from Chicago: 400
Wisconsin
Sept. 17: Fat Tire Memorial Tour, Lake Geneva. This 21.5-mile bike tour travels through Lake Geneva, Fontana and Williams Bay with great views of Geneva Lake and Lake Como. There are nine potential stops along the way at participating taverns. Participants receive a map of the route, a pig roast ticket and raffle ticket. Fee varies; fattirememorialtour.com. Miles from Chicago: 80
Sept. 22-Oct. 2: Milwaukee Film Festival. This is the third year for the festival, which will show 150 films on seven screens throughout the city. There will be after-parties and other events. Fees vary; 414-755-1965; milwaukee-film.org. Miles from Chicago: 90
Sept. 24-25: Wade House Civil War Weekend, Greenbush. This is billed as the largest Civil War re-enactment and encampment in Wisconsin. Nearly 1,000 Confederate, Union and civilian re-enactors fill the 250-acre grounds of the Wade House Stagecoach Inn for battles, demonstrations of camp life, a concert and more. Fee varies; 920-526-3271; wadehouse.org. Miles from Chicago: 145
